John 8:24
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That is why I told you that you would die in your sins. For unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins--They knew well enough what He meant (Mar 13:6, Greek; compare Mat 24:5). But He would not, by speaking it out, give them the materials for a charge for which they were watching. At the same time, one is irresistibly reminded by such language, so far transcending what is becoming in men, of those ancient declarations of the God of Israel, "I AM HE" (Deu 32:39; Isa 43:10, Isa 43:13; Isa 46:4; Isa 48:12). See on Joh 6:20.
Open source ↗In this chapter we have, I. Christ's evading the snare which the Jews laid for him, in bringing to him a woman taken in adultery (Joh 8:1-11). II. Divers discourses or conferences of his with the Jews that cavilled at him, and sought occasion against him, and made every thing he said a matter of controversy. 1. Concerning his being the light of the world (Joh 8:12-20). 2. Concerning the ruin of the unbelieving Jews (Joh 8:21-30). 3. Concerning liberty and bondage (Joh 8:31-37). 4. Concerning his Father and their father (Joh 8:38-47). 5. Here is his discourse in answer to their blasphemous reproaches (Joh 8:48-50). 6. Concerning the immortality of believers (Joh 8:51-59). And in all this he endured the contradiction of sinners against himself.
Open source ↗8:24 unless you believe that I Am who I claim to be: Jesus used God’s divine name (see 4:26; Exod 3:14), but the listeners missed the nuance (John 8:25). • die in your sins: Jesus’ presence in the world, as the light penetrating the darkness, is the world’s only chance for salvation.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. Whoever rejects the Son will not see life. Instead, the wrath of God remains on him.”
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
See to it that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if the people did not escape when they refused Him who warned them on earth, how much less will we escape if we reject Him who warns us from heaven?
But he who fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death.”
Jesus answered, “I who speak to you am He.”
I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it comes to pass, you will believe that I am He.
how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? This salvation was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard Him,
Salvation exists in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
Again He said to them, “I am going away, and you will look for Me, but you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.”